Primary Hodgkin's lymphoma of the caecum

Extra-nodal Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) represents 15% of all Hodgkin's lymphomas; the primary intestinal site accounts for 1% and with involvement of the ascending colon being rare. We present the case of a patient of 62 years of age diagnosed as having acute appendicitis. Anatomopathology on the excised appendectomy tissue indicated nodular lymphocytic predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma (NLPHL). The morphology indicated isolated L&H (lymphocytic or histiocytic) cells or in groups, surrounded by T lymphocytes, in an environment of germinal centres together with phenomena that would be interpreted as progressive transformation. Immunohistochemistry staining of the HL cells were positive for CD45, CD20, Bc16, EMA and MUM1 and negative for CD15 and CD30. No complementary treatment was administered. Following a literature search, the present case would appear to be the first of its kind.